Keyboard

ABSTRACT

Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatus has a mount and a plurality of keys on the mount arranged in four V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron. Alphanumeric indicia on the keys are arranged in QWERTY typing layout. At least two keys have base perimeters forming chevrons, one in a first row of the four rows and one in a second row of the four rows. Four keys of the first plurality have base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids, two in a third row of the four rows and two in a fourth row of the four rows.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to input keyboards, more particularly to anergonomically designed typing keyboard for use with computers, wordprocessors, electric typewriters and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard keyboards for typewriters and computers have four parallel rowsof keys: one numeric and three alphabetical. The rows are placed one ontop of the other, but are staggered somewhat in order to shorten thefinger-travel distance, or "throw", between keys in adjacent rows.Minimizing this distance is important, because the farther a finger mustbe thrown from its normal, or "home", position, the greater the chancefor making a typing mistake. Furthermore, longer strokes require moremuscle effort to execute, and thereby increase operator fatigue.

This parallel arrangement of straight rows of keys requires that thehands be held in a relatively unnatural position, namely, with thewrists held close together and the hands turned outward. At best, thisposition causes fatigue and strain -- at worst, it may be associatedwith progressive deterioration and injury, such as carpal tunnelsyndrome, which has been found to be increasing concomitantly with theincreased used of computer and word processor keyboards.

Bending the rows of keys in the middle to form a V-shaped arrangement isknown, although not widely adopted. This arrangement can allow theoperator to turn his or her wrists outward somewhat so that the handsare held more directly in line with the forearms -- a less fatiguing andsafer arrangement.

Since the V-shaped rows are stacked one upon the other, such a keyboard,as a whole, may more properly be termed "chevron-shaped"(a chevron beinga four-sided solid having a V-shaped top and a V-shaped bottom offsetparallel to the top). However, these terms will be used more or lessinterchangeably herein, except where an explicit distinction must bemade.

A problem with existing chevron keyboards is that they do not utilizethe universally standard key arrangement known as the QWERTY keyboard."QWERTY" stands for the names of the keys occupying the left side of theupper row of alphabetical keys. Therefore, existing chevron arrangementsmust be relearned by a typist whose only prior training and experienceis on QWERTY keyboards. Furthermore, many chevron keyboards have suchlarge gaps between the keys on alternate sides of the keyboard that theycould not be readily modified for use by a QWERTY typist. They alsowould not be suitable for use in a keyboard wherein it is desired tominimize the typing area. This is the case, for example, with laptop,notebook and pocket computers.

Prior developments in this field may be generally illustrated byreference to the following patents:

    ______________________________________                                        Patent No.   Patentee        Issue Date                                       ______________________________________                                        2,725,677 WG A. Muther       Dec. 22, 1977                                    2,122,947 GB W. Hawkins      Jan. 25, 1984                                    4,579,470    C. Casey        Apr. 01, 1986                                    4,824,268    H. Diernisse    Apr. 25, 1989                                    4,655,621    R. Holden       Apr. 07, 1987                                      332,476 GB K. Marloth      Jul. 24, 1930                                    2,218,065 WG G. Nawroth      Oct. 31, 1973                                      556,422    A. Von Kunowski Mar. 17, 1896                                    2,318,519    C. C. M. Palanque                                                                             May 04, 1943                                     4,483,634    W. U. Frey et al.                                                                             Nov. 20, 1984                                    4,597,681    A. N. Hodges    Jul. 01, 1986                                    4,737,040    T. Y. Moon      Apr. 12, 1988                                      552,611 WG G. Vollberg     Jun. 15, 1952                                    2,122,947A GB                                                                              W. R. Hawkins   Jun. 25, 1984                                    4,814,747    J. D. Wathor    Mar. 21, 1989                                    4,739,316    S. Yamaguchi et al.                                                                           Apr. 19, 1988                                    4,476,462    A. P. Feldman   Oct. 09, 1984                                    4,808,017    H. F. Sherman et al.                                                                          Feb. 28, 1989                                    4,633,227    W. A. Menn      Dec. 30, 1986                                    ______________________________________                                    

Patent WG 2,725,677 to Muther teaches a chevron keyboard where the spacebetween the main key rows is filled with additional keys. However, therows are not staggered and the key shapes are not altered to provide aninterlocking fit.

Patent GB 2,122,947 to Hawkins teaches a thumb key whose shape ismodified into that of a diamond so as to fit into the space between thekey rows of a chevron keyboard.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,470 to Casey and 4,824,268 to Diernisse teachkeyboards having something of a "V" shape and staggered keys. While the3 470 patent shows one triangular key in the center, none of the keysare themselves chevrons, and the rows do not actually interlock.

The Frey patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,634, is for a keyboard arrangementwhere a central keyboard is arranged in a V-shape. There is an unusedtriangular region in the center of the typewriter area. The keyboardalso has a smaller keyboard on both the right and the left hand sides ofthe central keyboard. The rows are not unbroken "V"s. Two keys arechevron-shaped but are rotated 90 degrees. Thus, they extend from thebottom row up into the next row and do not facilitate the interlockingof rows.

The Hodges patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,681, is for an adjustablekeyboard wherein a standard keyboard is divided in half and each halfcan pivot around a pin such that the keyboard may be arranged on anangle in a V-shape. However, the rows break open upon pivoting. A tabkey is chevron shaped, but also extends from one row up into the nextrow and does not facilitate the interlocking of rows.

The Palanque (U.S. Pat. No. 2,318,519), Hawkins (Great Britain No.2,122,947A), and Vollberg (West German No. 552,611) patents also showkeyboards where the keys are positioned on an angle to form a V-shape.However, the rows are broken by an unused, approximately triangularshaped region in the center of the keyboard, from which the keys radiateupward.

Not only does breaking of the rows prevent the effective staggeringneeded to shorten finger throw distance, it wastes space -- in an agewhere smaller and smaller keyboards are being demanded.

The rest of the patents are representative of what is in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a keyboard wherein the rows of alphanumeric keys areangled in the center, each forming a V-shape and overall forming achevron shape.

An interlocking arrangement between the rows of keys at the center,where the angle is formed, optimizes the throw between keys of adjacentrows, thereby maximizing typing efficiency.

The interlocking arrangement is accomplished by changing the normallyrectangular shapes of several of the keys. Some are themselves changedto chevrons, namely, the Y, B, and space-bar keys. The 6, 7, G, and Hkeys are formed into irregular trapezoids, i.e. their top and bottomedges are parallel whereas their sides are not.

Standard keyboards, as noted above, have alternating rows staggered withrespect to each other in order to shorten the distance and optimize theangle of the path which one's fingers must travel between keys inadjacent rows. The interlock of the present invention allows the presentinvention to become the first V-shaped keyboard to optimize this path inthe same manner.

The present invention provides a chevron-shaped QWERTY keyboard thatwill otherwise seem to be very little changed from the point of view ofa QWERTY-trained operator. Therefore, the operator will require noadditional training and will be able to accommodate his or her typingtechnique to the keyboard almost immediately.

The instant keyboard is so ergonomically efficient as to reduce thefatigue and discomfort which leads in present designs to errors andinjury. It increases comfort, typing speed and accuracy. The operator'sfingers are able to reach all keys quickly and without strain. Thewrists are able to be held for long periods in their most natural, safeand effortless position.

As in other QWERTY keyboards, the most dextrous and agile finger,namely, the index finger, operates many more keys than the others, yetall of its keys are positioned at minimum distances and optimum angleswith respect to from it.

The present keyboard has the added benefit of providing cursor controlkeys on both sides of the central typing area. This can be a boon toleft-handed and ambidextrous typists.

FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES

An object of this invention is to provide alphanumeric keyboard inputapparatus, which apparatus includes a mount (or casing) includes a firstplurality of keys (the alphanumeric group) on the mount arranged in fourunbroken V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one within theother, so as generally to form a chevron; and includes alphanumericindicia on the keys arranged in QWERTY typing layout. At least one keyhas a base perimeter forming a chevron and lies wholly within one row,so as to facilitate the unbroken interlocking of the rows.

Another object is to provide at least two keys having base perimetersforming chevrons, one bearing the letter Y in a first row of the fourrows and one bearing the letter B in a second row of the four rows.

Yet another object is to provide at least one of the keys of thealphanumeric group having a base perimeter forming an irregulartrapezoid. Preferably, there are four keys of the alphanumeric grouphaving base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids, one bearing thenumber 6 and one bearing the number 7 in a third row of the four rows,and one bearing the letter G and one bearing the letter H in a fourthrow of the four rows.

Still another object is to provide a space bar having a chevron-shapedbase perimeter which is nested together with the four rows at the bottomthereof. The space bar forms an additional V-shaped "row" of its ownwhich is unbroken at the center.

Yet another object is to provide at least one of the keys with a baseperimeter forming a rectangle. Preferably, the remainder of thealphanumeric keys have these rectangular (or square) bases, along withmany of the punctuation and control keys.

Another object is to provide a second plurality (left cursor group) ofkeys on the mount, the second plurality located to the left of thealphanumeric group. The left cursor group is operably connected to meansfor controlling the movement of a cursor on a computer screen.

Yet another object is to provide a third plurality (right numeric/cursorgroup or keypad) of keys on the mount, the third plurality located tothe right of the alphanumeric group. The keypad is operably connected tothe cursor movement control means and also, alternatively -- via the NumLock (numeric lock) key to means for producing numeric keystrokes.

Another feature is an apparatus which is easy to use, attractive inappearance and suitable for mass production at relatively low cost.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as toorganization and method of operation, together with further objects andadvantages thereof will be better understood from the followingdescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawing inwhich a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way ofexample. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing isfor the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intendedas a definition of the limits of the invention.

Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the followingdescription for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting.For example, the words "upwardly,""downwardly,""leftwardly," and"rightwardly" will refer to directions in the drawings to whichreference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" will refer todirections toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of adevice and designated parts thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is top or plan view of a preferred keyboard of this invention;and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the Y key of FIG. 1.

Drawing Reference Numerals

1 keyboard

2 mount or casing of 1

4 alphanumeric (typewriter) group

8 right numeric/cursor (keypad) group

10 left cursor group

12 area movement subset of 10

14 space movement subset of 10

18 function key group

19 alphanumeric key of 4

20 upper surface of 19

21 base perimeter of 19

22 numeric row of 4

24 first (top) alphabetic row of 4

26 second (home) alphabetic row of 4

28 third (bottom) alphabetic row of 4

30 6 key

32 7 key

36 Y key

38 G key

40 H key

40 B key

46 space bar

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a top view of achevron-shaped QWERTY keyboard 1 of this invention. The keyboard 1comprises a number of distinct key groups or clusters which aresupported on a plastic or metal mount 2. The interconnection of the keyswith the mount and the means for electrically signalling to a computer,word processor or electric typewriter which key has been struck are wellknown in the art and need not be separately described.

The alphanumeric (typewriter) key group 4 is more or less centrallylocated. To its right is the right numeric/cursor group 8, sometimesknown as the "keypad". To the left of the alphanumeric group 4 is theleft cursor group 10, which is made up of an area-by-area cursormovement subset 12 and a space-by-space cursor movement subset 14. Ins(insert) and Del (delete) keys are added to the area subset, as isnormal in the art. Both of the groups 8 and 10 are connected to meansfor controlling the movement of a cursor on a computer screen, whichmeans is known in the art.

While it has recently become common for there to be separatenumeric/cursor and cursor only-groups, the placement of the cursor-onlygroup 10 on the side opposite from the numeric/cursor group 8 isconsidered novel -- normally, both cursor groups are placed to the rightof the typewriter group. The current placement is advantageous in thatit allows either hand to be used for cursor movement.

Computer function-controlling keys may be located in a straight-linefunction group 18 at the top of the keyboard 1. Alternatively, thisgroup could also be V-shaped and could be nested into the top of thealphanumeric group 4.

Included, as is common, at various positions about the preferredkeyboard shown in FIG. 1 are other keys for use with what are known as"IBM compatible" personal computers. Examples include Prnt Scrn (printscreen), Scrl (scroll) Lock, Pse (pause), Esc (escape), and the like.The use of such keys is typically of such low frequency that it isdeemed unnecessary to include them in more ergonomic positions on thechevron-shaped alphanumeric group 4, although that readily could beaccomplished. Other computer control keys, such as Ctrl (control) andAlt (alternate), are used more frequently and therefore are positionedwith the alphanumeric keys.

The alphanumeric group 4 basically comprises 58 keys: 10 numeric keys,26 keys for the standard English Latin alphabet, and 22 other keys forpunctuation and such controls as Shift, Space, Tab and the like.

Group 4 has four V-shaped rows nested together, one within the other, soas generally to form a chevron. The chevron shape is exact as to the topand bottom of the group 4. However, the sides are irregularly jagged.The rows of group 4 may be said to be unbroken. "Unbroken," as usedherein, means that the distance between the keys does not varysubstantially along the row, especially in the area of the point of the"V". Naturally, there are gaps between the keys, but these gaps are keptsmall enough to prevent foreign objects from entering the area beneaththe keys. The numeric row 22 has the Arabic numerals and somepunctuation and symbol keys. The alphabetic rows comprise the first or"top" row 24, the second or "home" row 26, and the third or "bottom" row28. The actual content (or "symbol set") of these four rows is arrangedin the same left-to-right order as the prominent QWERTY keyboard set.The space bar 46 itself, or together with opposed pairs of Ctrl and Altkeys, could be said to form a fifth V-shaped row.

A typical alphanumeric key 19, such as the 1 key, is rectangular (orsquare) around its base perimeter 21. It may taper upwardly to aslightly concave upper surface 20 of reduced size, which results in the1 key being formed into the shape of a truncated pyramid. This generalshape is known in the art.

However, in order to accommodate the QWERTY keyboard in a chevron shapeand in the most ergonomic and compact layout possible, a number of keys,namely those at the center or intersection of the "V", have had theirshapes changed in specific ways. Three keys (the Y key 36, the B key 42,and the space bar 46) have their base perimeters formed into chevrons.Four keys (the 6 key 30, the 7 key 32, the G key 38 and the H key 40)are formed into irregular trapezoids around their base perimeters. Theremainder of the 36 basic alphanumeric keys 19, together with most ofthe punctuation and control keys of the typewriter group 4, are formedinto regular rectangles at their bases.

It is to be noted that it is the shape of the key bases which is mostcritical for forming the keyboard of the present invention. All baseperimeters 21 of the keys 19 should very nearly touch adjacent key baseperimeters, in order that foreign objects not fall into the interior ofthe keyboard 1.

The upper surfaces 20 may be of any shape which is convenient andcomfortable for the operator's fingers to rest on or to strike.Typically, the keys will taper upwardly into an upper surface shapedroughly the same as the base perimeter (as illustrated). However, due tothe space gained by the taper, the top surfaces could form other shapesnot illustrated. Thus, the B key 42, for example, could have arectangular top surface rather than the chevron shape shown. Such arectangle would be offset to the left side of the top of the key, sincethe B key is only struck with the index finger of the left hand.Similarly, the Y key 36 could be rectangular, square or oval on top andbe skewed to the right for the convenience of the index finger of theright hand.

While the above provides a full and complete disclosure of the preferredembodiments of this invention, various modifications, alternateconstructions, and equivalents may be employed without departing fromthe true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involvealternate materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes,operational features or the like. For example, the keyboard couldreadily be adapted to other symbol sets and layouts, such as the layoutknown as the "Dvorak" keyboard. Furthermore, the positioning of thecentrally located, chevron-shaped keys could be altered somewhat, e.g.the 7, H and N keys could be the chevrons and still accommodate theinterlocking arrangement. Therefore, the above description andillustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention which is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Keyboard apparatus including:a mount; a firstplurality of keys on the mount arranged in a plurality of unbrokenV-shaped rows, the plurality of rows nested together, one within theother, so as generally to form a chevron; and at least one key of thefirst plurality having a base perimeter forming a chevron and lyingwholly within one row of the plurality of rows.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein:there are at least two keys of the first pluralityhaving base perimeters forming chevrons, one wholly within a one row ofthe plurality of rows and one wholly within another one of the rows ofthe plurality of rows.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:at least oneof the keys of the first plurality has a base perimeter forming anirregular trapezoid.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:there are fourkeys of the first plurality having base perimeters forming irregulartrapezoids.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further including:an additionalkey of the first plurality having a generally chevron-shaped baseperimeter and forming a fifth row nested together with the previous fourrows at the bottom thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 furtherincluding:a second plurality of keys on the mount, the second pluralitylocated to the left of the first plurality, the second pluralityoperably connected to means for controlling the movement of a cursor ona computer screen.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including:a thirdplurality of keys on the mount, the third plurality located to the rightof the first plurality, the third plurality operably connected to thecursor movement control means.
 8. Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatusincluding:a mount; a first plurality of keys on the mount arranged infour unbroken V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one withinthe other, so as generally to form a chevron; alphanumeric indicia onthe keys of the first plurality arranged in QWERTY typing layout; and atleast one key of the first plurality having a base perimeter forming achevron lying wholly within one of the four rows.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein:there are at least two keys of the first pluralityhaving base perimeters forming chevrons, one bearing the letter Y in onerow of said four rows and one bearing the letter B in another row ofsaid four rows.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:at least one of thekeys of the first plurality has a base perimeter forming an irregulartrapezoid.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:there are four keys ofthe first plurality having base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids,one bearing the number 6 and one bearing the number 7 in one of saidfour rows, and one bearing the letter G and one bearing the letter H inanother of said four rows.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 furtherincluding:a space bar having a chevron-shaped base perimeter and nestedtogether with the four rows at the bottom thereof.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein:at least one of the keys of the first plurality has abase perimeter forming a rectangle.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10further including:a second plurality of keys on the mount, the secondplurality located to the left of the first plurality, the secondplurality operably connected to means for controlling the movement of acursor on a computer screen.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 furtherincluding:a third plurality of keys on the mount, the third pluralitylocated to the right of the first plurality, the third pluralityoperably connected to the cursor movement control means. 16.Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatus including:a mount; and a firstplurality of keys on the mount arranged in four V-shaped rows, the fourrows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form achevron, whereintwo keys of the first plurality have base perimetersforming chevrons, one in one of said four rows and one a second of oneof said four rows, and four keys of the first plurality have baseperimeters forming irregular trapezoids.